John 15

Have you met a “normal Christian” before?

I wonder what that person looks like. Do they attend church, give money and behave well? These things are great, but the question is this: what is normality?

In the Kingdom of God, normality is … Christ.

Think about it this way; it would be strange for anything in Jesus’ Kingdom not to look like Jesus.

So a normal Christian is this: someone who has fully abandoned themselves to the way and life of Jesus.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing”

Jn 15:5

A lot of Christianity is anything but “normal” according to this idea. We do a lot that doesn’t look like Jesus. It isn’t because we don’t want it to … it’s because we can’t.

How then are Christians actually able to live like Jesus?

In John 15 Jesus uses the image of a vine and a branch to teach us one profoundly simple truth - we cannot produce a fruitful life unless we are connected to the vine (Jesus) in the same way that Jesus was connected to His Father.

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love”

Jn 15:9

The only way that we can live like Jesus is if we abide, continuously, connected to the life of Jesus.

This allows for His power and character to flow “through us”.

• This is normal.
• This is how it was supposed to be.
• This is Christianity.

Anything other than ‘Christians being connected to Jesus’ is strange and out of place.

How aware are you of your need for Jesus?

Do you spend most of your life trying to do “Christianity without Christ”? Or are you, moment by moment, conscious of your dependency on the life of Jesus to produce a fruitful life?

Perhaps it’s time to rest and return to “normal Christianity”.

Prayer:

Lord, I have been like a branch lying on the ground, trying my hardest to look like you and live a life that looks like yours. Please forgive me. I desire to be a branch that is connected to you, every moment of every day.

I know that when I am connected to you … fruit will be abundant - for your glory.

Thank you & Amen.